Chapter 20
TWENTY
Crushers Text Thread
Brendan
Did anyone else see the Instagram story from Henderson Tree Farm yesterday?
Jaxon
The one with Riley chopping down a tree? Yeah, we ALL saw it.
Brax
Rourke looked like he stepped out of a Brawny paper towel ad.
Miles
Send screenshots. I missed it.
Brendan
Your boy was out there auditioning for a Hallmark movie. Maybe I need to give the team a weight routine that includes lumberjack training.
Tate
This is the same man who called Christmas “commercialism at its finest” three weeks ago.
Rourke
How is everyone seeing this?
Leo
Because your roomie posted it to her story.
Brendan
She tagged you as “hot lumberjack in the wild”
Rourke
NO
Brendan
Screenshot incoming…
Brax
DUDE. You’re both in red. Jaz and I don’t even do that.
Tate
Look at Mr. Anti-Christmas over here, suddenly all warm and fuzzy.
Leo
So what’s the status on getting Janie to wear your jersey?
Rourke
I’m handling it.
Brendan
“Handling it” he says while dressed as Santa. Can you show up to practice like that?
Rourke
Tell me, how are you “handling” your feelings for Scarlett these days?
Brendan
I don’t want to talk about it.
Jaxon
So she’s fair game now?
Brendan
You’re really gonna ask me that?
Leo
Maybe a bet would help Scarlett come around. Lose on purpose like Rourke.
Rourke
I’m not losing, guys.
Leo
Well, you’re definitely not winning.
Brendan
Scarlett told me Janie watches the games now…
Rourke
WAIT. WHAT?
Brendan
You didn’t know?
Brax
Dude, she didn’t want him to know.
Rourke
How many?
Brendan
All of them.
Leo
Hold up. Janie likes hockey AND Riley’s gone full family man now? What universe is this?
Rourke
What’s wrong with that?
Leo
Nothing. Just trying to process this new version of you.
Tate
Wait. Aren’t you literally playing a saint in the pageant?
Rourke
Come to the show and find out.
Brendan
“Saint” Riley? NO WAY. Did hell freeze over too?
Rourke
Only when I start liking Christmas.
Tate
You literally just invited us to your Christmas show.
Rourke
For Janie. Not Christmas.
Leo
Right. And I'm sure the tree in your living room is also “for Janie.”
Rourke